A day of playing in the river- Updated!

[Christopheraaron]

Trout opener is a special day, it marks the start of spring and softwater fishing. The fish thought they had made it from the danger when they passed the exception limits, just sitting in the pools, unknowing that soon there would be an army of fishermen barreling down at them, throwing as much roe as they could eat passed their faces.

 

Our day started at 4am, on the road by 4:30 and at the river by 5. The sun was still hiding behind the trees but there were already as many anglers as you could count on the river. My favourite pools had at least 20 anglers on them but the fish didn't care, 5 casts in and I landed just my second lifetime steelhead, measured 27" on the tape and put up one hell of a fight.

 

 

After that the anglers flooded the pool and we decided it wasn't worth it to try and battle for casting room, we headed to the next river instead. The water was high and fast, a few people got fish but it was tough fishing overall, so we headed upstream to the spawning grounds. We found good numbers of fish, but they were easily spooked and casting room was at a premium. One person that we asked caught a fish, possibly because now the sun was high in the sky, so we broke for lunch to look at a map to decide where next. On the way back we met a very kind man who directed us to 2 spots, one was strictly fish watching as the property was private, the other turned out to be heaven. But first, here's the view on the no fishing pool

 

Viewing pool

 

Once we had enough of that (took a while) we headed to the second spot, this is by far the most fish I've ever seen in one spot, so instead of bait fishing I pulled out the fly rod. Started by nymphing pocket water with wooly buggers, maggots and stoneflies, got a few takes but couldn't land any of them. So I switched to leeches and spey flies and swung them in slower water. It was easy to see the fish, and if you made a good cast easy to catch too. This was the first of the evening.

 

Should've taken the stupid hat off!

 

 

and the second fish

 

 

And the third

 

 

Finished roughly 4 for 10, had at least 30 takes that I missed, I'm hooked!

Edited May 4, 2013 by Christopher k

[Christopheraaron]

Just realized the second and third pics don't match up, the first of the 2 pics was on the bait rod, and the second was on the fly.

[4x4bassin]

Great day CK , great pics

[mr blizzard]

Good for you KC, sweet day of fishing and great storey, pleasure to read, right on.

[Ralph Field]

Congratulations on a great day's fishing.

[mr blizzard]

Good for you KC, sweet day of fishing and great storey, pleasure to read, right on.

Haven't been to Tims yet lol sorry man I meant CK, to error is human to forgive is divine lol CK CK CK

[fishnsled]

Great report CK and some fantastic pics. That jumping shot is cool. Glad to see you got a few and brought your personal photographer with you.

[Christopheraaron]

Thanks everyone! Will, that's my dad's work, he fished most of the day but at the end he was tired and just felt like shooting

[nancur373]

Awesome day you guys had there.

[Tony68]

Very nice write up and congrats on the fish.

[Mike Pike]

Great report and pics, Chris, especially the action shot with the jumping bow. Awesome!

 

Looks like you got the Paparazzi following you around! lol

[davey buoy]

Super day!!!!,as said that jumping shot WOW!!!

[misfish]

Awesome show Chris.

 

That pool was full.

[Walleye'm Fishing]

Fantastic fishing dude, 'love the jumping bow shot!!!

[TheMaverick]

Nice fish

[Musky or Specks]

Good action on the fly Chris. It was a long time before I ever managed to catch one on the fly. Your becoming quite the accomplished angler.

[Moosebunk]

Great post Chris. Thought the pictures from the other bank were refreshing. Don't see many taken that way. And bud, ya really beat up on some beauty bows on a busy river. Great fishing.

[Christopheraaron]

Thanks again everyone!

 

Good action on the fly Chris. It was a long time before I ever managed to catch one on the fly. Your becoming quite the accomplished angler.

My goal for this year is to catch every sportfish in southern ontario (besides catfish) on the fly this year, might be a long shot but I think I can do it

[StarTzar]

Nice

[spincast]

nice!

[Gerritt]

Well done young man, you are coming along nicely! a great report.

 

G

[Djeep]

gotta love steelhead on the fly. those are some awesome pics.

[Christopheraaron]

Going out again tomorrow, will add to this report if I get anything

[manitoubass2]

wicked day, wicked report, wicked pics!!!!

 

Cant wait until you move to NW ontario!

[c_shep]

Nice report C. I'm jealous as well. There are plenty of catfish around ottawa and I've caught a number on the fly (muddlers, white minnow patterns, black wooly buggers and standard nymphs. The best pattern on the Ottawa river for me is a hot pink hammils killer with a white wing (mallard flank) tied in over the back. The river I fish has good clarity and I target them in the evening in relatively shallow water. You can catch most fish with a fly if your persistent. Best of luck.

 

Ches